encouraged

"Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge. I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from You." As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those who run after another god shall mulitply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips. The LORD is my chosen protion and my cup; You hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For You will not abandom my soul to Sheol, or let Your holy one see curruption. You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16

Today was a lot better. The girls and I had a full day of running around, painting, and playing. It's fun to get little projects done around the house. Not only does it keep my mind off of things but it also is exciting to know how suprised B will be when he gets home. (note: I am not doing anything that we haven't already talked about...just to set the record straight :) )

On that note...we are getting our deck done...and today we were finally able to enjoy some sunshine on it! It is soooo great! I cannot say enough about it. Tom did an amazing job on it and I'm so excited for B to come home and see it. He will love it!

kisses.

A family from church that has gone through this before suggested this to us. I thought it was kind of cute. Plus she gets chocolate :) I don't think she will argue against that.

Eighteen chocolate kisses until we see daddy.

After the last kiss is gone, the next day of kisses will be her daddy!

Too fast for the camera!

mmmmmm....

and so it begins.

B went to the airport bright and early this morning (or should I say, bright and early when I got back). Just kind of in 'go' mode now. The girls were kind of a wreck tonight, but sundays are always a little harder with church in the morning. I'm missing my husband right now. I got to talk to him for a few minutes today. He even tried to call me after he got to base, but had to hang up almost immediately. I'm just preparing myself for not talking to him for three weeks ... although the phone is right next to me in case he calls :) God is good. The sermon this morning was just for me...Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth and the life"...all anxiety about anything, all concerns or fears, all doubts and unbelief, all of it is answered in this. He says, "believe in Me, believe that I and the Father are One, that I am in Him and He is in Me...Trust in Me." Oh, it was soo good. If you want to hear it, here is the website. Thank You Jesus that You are the way, the truth and the life, that no one comes to the Father except through You. Thank You that You desire all to know this, and You graciously opened my eyes to see this truth.

Hello again.

Yep, 6 months. And what a road we have been on. Atalie is one now, walking and is starting to show her personality. She is a pretty happy little girl, but has a strong side to her for sure. Inger is two, and we are in the midst of so much learning. Bennett is getting ready to gear up and serve our country, and I am so incredibly proud of him and proud to call him my husband. What an amazing man he is and is becoming. God has worked in him in such an incredible way this last year, it leaves me speechless. Thank You Lord for this life You have given. So, I am going to try and start posting again. Amidst all the chaos and change, Lord willing I can share all the joys and sorrows, laughter and tears with you all.

all the happenings...

she loves her pink shoes!

got a tooth!

time for solids

I cannot believe how fast it is going...well, yes I can. It's crazy and though sometimes it's rough, I do love this. These girls are so funny. We started introducing some solids, which I was kind of dreading, but it's going fine...just one more mess to clean up :) I was thinking about it today though, it's only going to be a short time until she learns to do it all on her own, like her big sis.

First bite of banana.

Sweet potato.

She LOVES avocado!

...

Last night I was getting the girls ready for bed and Inger was standing about 5 feet in front of me, turned to the side. She looks at me and begins to toot...and so sweetly says, 'Atalie boom boom?'